3rd Sunday of Easter
Agape versus Phileo
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The Lord asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter answers, “Yes, Lord, I love you.”
But the Greek text is more subtle: “Simon Joannou agapas me?” So Jesus is asking Peter about agape love, the highest love, wherein you love God above all things and all people, including yourself. The third time Jesus said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (phileo) me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love (phileo) me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep”. Jesus, then, uses the term “phileo” instead of “agape” in his third questioning of Peter.
This is significant and cannot be a meaningless use of words. Peter is grieved and exclaims that he (only) has brotherly love to give. But the Lord does not reject Peter and assigns him a task: “Feed my lambs.” This is a beautiful and profound moment. Peter honestly answers that he has only imperfect love to offer and, so, no more posing, no more bragging.
Agape appears to be the typical word for love, whereas phileo appears to be love with physical affection or adoration. The kind of love that refuses to retaliate is what you would call agape love. Agape love, which is most often crowned as the highest form of Christian love, is that kind of love and action eliciting empathy; extends the desire for good of the beloved; wants the best; extends help or demonstrates good intentions; and is intended for everyone. Agape love is sacrificial, so it is certainly not easy. Loving with agape love means not always getting your way. Often, it means requiring that you act in the best interest of someone else and not yourself. It requires that you show empathy and understanding and to extend grace, especially when it’s hardest to give.
Finally, biblical scholars see a distinction in the three demands that Jesus imposes on Peter. When Jesus said “Feed my lambs,” it meant to feed the neophytes or those who had recently come to believe in Him. Then, when Jesus said, “Tend my sheep,” it meant to feed His more mature believers. Finally, when Jesus said “Feed my sheep,” it implies Petrine primacy – Peter was designated to take care of the whole flock – both those new in faith and the mature of faith, too.
Excerpted from http://www.ncregister.com. Msgr. Charles Pope. “Agape Love and Breakfast with Jesus.” 29 April 2022.
Nature and dignity 